Folding box



ug- 4,1942 T. RERlKsEN ETAL 2,291,888

F'oLDING'Box Filed April 24, 1939 Patented Aug. 4, 1942 UITED STATEFOLDING BOX Toralf R. Ericksenand Glenn D. Fehely, Portland, Oreg.

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to containers, and particularly to afolding box.

The main object of this invention is to construct a folding boxespecially adapted for use in conveying fruit from the orchard or eld tothe cannery, warehouse or packing shed.

The second object is to construct a box of the class described whichwill be light in weight, exceedingly durable and economical of spacewhen not containing fruit.

The third object is to construct a knock-down box which will not onlyreduce the freight rates for return shipments but will also make itpossible to hold approximately seven times as many empty boxes on agiven vehicle as was previously the case.

The fourth object is to so construct the box that it can be set up orknocked down by an unskilled person in a very short space of time.

The iifth object is to so construct the box that although inferiorgrades of lumber may be employed, the portions of the box will notbecome inoperative due to breakage in view of the fact that all of thethinner working parts of the box are metal bound.

These and other objects are accomplished in the manner set forth in thefollowing specification as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the box set up.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the box knocked down.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the box.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 6--6 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective showing a spring hinge. A

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. l.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation showing a modified form of the device.

Similar numerals refer throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, there is shown a bottom Ill which'ismade of a thin strong wood and supported at its ends by the cleats II towhich the bottom I0 is riveted. At each end of to similar parts thebottom I0 is disposed a box end I2 which is.

preferably of a somewhat heavier material than is the bottom I 0.

OFFICE Each box end I2 has secured thereto the upright corner angles I3by means of the rivets I4. Each angle I3 has a side I5 which extendsparallel with and along the lateraledge IS of the bottom I0.

Each cleat II is provided with a channel II in which is pivotallydisposed a rod I8 whose outturned ends I9 are provided with an inturnedportion 2i) which passes through the side I5 into the box end I2 therebyforming an oiset hinge for the lower end of the member I2 which willpermit the lower edge of the end I2 to rest on the flat top of thebottom I0 as shown in Fig. 1 or to provide a space between the membersI0 and I2 when in parallelism as shown in Fig. 2.

Each end I2 has its side 2| cut away as shown in Fig. 4 to receive theend 22 of the box sides 23. The end 22 is preferably sheathed with alight metal channel 24. Each side 23 is attached to its adjacent bottomedge I3 by means of the spring hinges 25, one side of which is providedwith an eye 23 which is attached to the rivet 21 and the other side 28is stapled to the side 23.

In each end I2 is formed a channel 29 adapted to slidably receive therods 30 whose outwardly turned ends 3| are provided with the inturnedends 32 which pass through corresponding holes 32A in the side I5 andthe holes 32B in the sheathing channel 24 and the side 23.

The cut-out portion 33 is used as a handhold and the ends 34 projectinto the cut-out portion 33. It follows that when the ends 34 are movedtoward each other that the ends 3I will be moved apart, that is, out ofengagement with the sheathed end of the side 23.

It is desirable to cover the members 34 with a suitable plate 35 and tourge the members 34 apart by means of the springs 36.

In this form of the device, the operation is as follows:

When it is desired to open the box for use, it being in the conditionshown in Fig. 2, it is only necessary to move the .ends 34 in each boxend I2 toward each other. This causes the inturned ends 32 to disengagethe bottom Il] and to permit the ends I2 and the sides 23 to move to theposition shown in Fig. 1. If the ends 34 are then released and permittedto separate, the inturned ends 32 will engage the holes 32A and 32Bthereby locking the members rigidly into a set-up position.

In the form of the device shown in Fig. 9, the ends 31 of the bottom 38are sheathed by means of the channels 39. In this form of the device therod I8A journals in the channel I'IA which is formed transversely acrossthe bottom 38. The upper edge 40 of the end |2A is raised above the edge4I of the side 23A to provide the desired air space.

The purpose of this modified construction is to provide smooth bottomsfor the boxes in order to better adapt them for use on conveyors.

We are aware that folding boxes have been constructed in the past and itis not our intention to cover such devices broadly, but we do intend tocover all such forms and modifications thereof which fall fairly withinthe appended claims.

We claim:

1. A folding box having in combination a ilat topped bottom havinginwardly foldable sides and ends, the ends having channels to receivethe sides, the ends having horizontally slidable latching rods mountedtherein each of which has an outwardly turned end, the end of which isinturned, said sides having holes formed therein to receive saidinturned ends when the box sides occupy the channels in the box ends andmeans for urging the inturned ends toward each other.

2. In a box of the class described, the combination of a flat toppedbottom having a pair of opposite sides attached thereto by means ofspring hinges adapted to urge said sides toward an upright position orpermit same to be folded downwardly against the box bottom, a pair ofbox ends associated with said bottom having upright channels form-edtherein to receive the opposite ends of the sides, said box ends havingdual axis hinges consisting of a rod journalling in said bottom, saidrod having outturned ends terminatingvin inturned portions pivotallyconnected to the box end whereby a hinging action may take place oneither axis of the hinge in a manner to permit the box end to rest uponthe box bottom when in an open position or to receive the box sidesbetween the box end and box bottom in a closed position, and springlatches between said box ends and sides whereby said members may belatched in open or closed positions.

3. A folding box of the class described including a flat bottom havingend members disposed at opposite ends thereof, said end members havingupright channels formed at the corners of the box, side members disposedbetween said ends and adapted to occupy said channels when the box is inan open position, spring hinges between said sides and bottom normallyurging the sides to an open position, spring latches on said endscomprising hooks having inturned ends for engaging holes in said sideswhen in an open position or for engaging the under side of the bottom ina closed position, and offset hinges for said ends having dual axes, oneof which journals in the box bottom and the other of which journals inthe box end.

TORALF R. ERICKSEN. GLENN D. FEHELY.

